{
  "id": 5399771,
  "title": "MLB Star José Iglesias on His Historic ‘Buena Vista Social Club’ Broadway Debut & ‘Representing Millions of Cubans’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/mlb-star-jose-iglesias-on-his-historic-buena-vista-social-club",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-03T19:57:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/jose-iglesias-broadway-buena-vista-social-club-interview-1236331353/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When José Iglesias, the Cuban-born MLB star and Latin pop artist known as Candelita, was invited to join the Broadway musical Buena Vista Social Club, he initially thought it was a joke. However, after the shocking call, he realized he had been chosen to play the role of the Narrator, making him the first Latin MLB player to grace the Broadway stage. Unlike previous players like Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, and Jackie Robinson who appeared as themselves, Iglesias joins the ensemble cast as a musical theater performer.\n\nIglesias grew up hearing Cuban music by artists such as Compay Segundo, Omara Portuondo, and Ibrahim Ferrer. His debut on Broadway, where he sang \"El Cuarto de Tula,\" was a magical experience, and he described it as \"special\" with a different energy compared to a baseball field. The Broadway audience's reaction varied, sometimes dancing and other times simply listening, making each night unique.\n\nAs someone who never dreamed of acting or performing on Broadway, Iglesias feels a great responsibility to continue having Cuban music on stage every night. He is proud and humbled by this opportunity, which has resulted in his 2024 single \"OMG\" becoming a Mets anthem and topping Billboard's Latin Digital Song Sales chart.",
  "summary": "The athlete and Billboard chart-topping Latin pop artist, who records as \"Candelita,\" reflects on joining the Tony- and Grammy-winning musical.",
  "key_points": [
    "José Iglesias, MLB star, debuts on Broadway as Narrator in Buena Vista Social Club",
    "First Latin MLB player to perform on Broadway stage",
    "Iglesias sings \"El Cuarto de Tula\" in magical, unique Broadway experience"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}